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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






2. Closing section of a movement.






3. A direction to play lively and fast.






4. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






5. A short or brief sonata.






6. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






7. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






8. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






9. Suite of Baroque dances.






10. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






11. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






12. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






13. A symbol indicating to play loud.






14. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






15. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






16. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






17. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






18. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






19. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






20. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






21. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






22. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






23. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






24. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






25. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






26. A composition written for eight instruments.






27. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






28. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






29. The highest female voice.






30. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






31. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






32. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






33. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






34. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






35. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






36. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






37. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






38. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






39. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






40. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






41. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






42. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






43. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






44. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






45. A separate section of a larger composition.






46. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






47. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






48. The principal note of a triad.






49. A symbol indicating to play loud.






50. Pertains to tone or tones.